Reimagining Screen Time

I often imagine an alien landing on Earth for the first time. How they’d be amazed by our world and what is has to offer—the mountains, the oceans, the miracle of life…

But also how they’d notice something strange.

“These humans,” they might say, “live in a paradise...but instead of experiencing each other and the world around them, they spend most of their day distracted by these small glowing rectangles.”

And then I wonder—if I could see my own family through their eyes, would I notice the same thing?

The Screen Routine

In today's world, screens are everywhere. They’re part of our routines, our work, and even our downtime. We reach for them without thinking. They’ve become our automatic go-to.

But the problem isn’t just the time we spend on screens—it’s what we’re missing. Moments of connection, creativity, and joy getting replaced by passive scrolling.

What if there was a simple, creative way to help your family step back, gain perspective, and rebuild a healthier relationship with technology?

The answer lies in something we all have but often forget to use: our imagination.

Why Imagination Matters

Imagination isn’t just for kids.

It’s a powerful tool that can help us break free from the autopilot mode we often fall into with screens.

When we shift our perspective, we create distance from our habits.

And that distance helps us see things differently, notice what’s really important, and make intentional choices instead of defaulting to our screens as part of our normal routine…

How Pretending Can Help

Pretending might sound silly as an adult, but it’s a surprisingly effective (and fun) way to disrupt routines and create new patterns. Here’s how it works:

1. Shift Your Perspective

When you’re stuck in a routine, it’s hard to see alternatives. Pretending lets you step outside that routine and see things with fresh eyes. For example:

• Pretend it’s Friday night on a Monday. How would you spend your evening differently? Maybe you’d play a board game with the kids or have a family dance party instead of zoning out in front of the TV.

• Pretend bedtime is a campout. Grab some blankets, tell stories, and make it an adventure. This not only reduces the need for a screen but also creates special family moments.

2. Break the Autopilot Cycle

Screens are designed to keep us hooked. Notifications, endless scrolling, and autoplay videos pull us in without us even realizing it. Pretending interrupts that cycle by giving your brain something else to focus on.

• Pretend your phone is a treasure map. Instead of mindlessly checking it, imagine it’s leading you to something valuable. You use it as a tool instead of a distraction.

• Pretend your tablet is a virutal library. If you or your kids are using it, imagine you’re traveling to a different era. What would you learn? How would things be different?

3. Reconnect with What Matters

When we’re caught up in screen habits, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s truly important—time with family, creativity, and being present in the moment. Pretending helps us reconnect with those values.

• Pretend you’re in a world without screens. How would you spend your time? What activities would you do with your kids? Use this as inspiration to create screen-free family traditions.

• Pretend you’re documenting your day for a future generation. What would you want to show them about how your family lived? This can help you focus on meaningful moments rather than screen distractions.

Most importantly, be playful. The more fun you make it, the more your family will want to join in.

The Bigger Picture

Using imagination to build a healthier relationship with screens isn’t about cutting them out completely. It’s about finding balance and making intentional choices.

When you and your family practice pretending, you’re not just reducing screen time—you’re creating space for connection, creativity, and joy.

So the next time you feel stuck in a screen routine, try pretending. You might be surprised at how a little imagination can make a big difference. ✌️

Want more of this?

This is what we build inside the H.E.A.L. Method—a simple, four-part approach that helps your family live less online… and more in real life.

H.E.A.L. stands for Habits, Environment, Alternative activities, and Limits.

Each part helps reduce digital overwhelm and reconnect your family to what matters most.

Follow along here…